Jacob s



(No Model.)

J. S. GIBBS. GUT-OUT.

No. 450.101. Patented Apr. 7,1891.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE..

JACOB S. GIBBS, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE PERKINS ELECTRIC SIVITCH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

C U T O U T.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 450,101, dated April 7, 1891.

Application iiled February ll, 1891. Serial No. 381,091. (No model.)

To all wwm it may concern:

Be it known that l, JACOB S. Giens, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cut-Outs, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

rIhe invention relates to the class of cutro outs for multiple incandescent lamps having a base bearing pole pieces or contacts for the main leads of the circuit and a detachable cap bearing lamp-wire connections and safetyfuses.

I5 The object of the invention is to provide a simple, cheap, and durable cut-out of this class, wherein the cap can be easily and quickly removed from or replaced on the base,

Y to which it fits tightly with sure and close 2o joints between the conducting-contacts, without disturbing' the main-circuit wires.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a central section of the cut-out. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the base and the con- 2'5 tact-pieces with the cap removed. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the inside of the cap.

In the views, the letter ce indicates the base, that is preferably formed circular, of porcelain, composition, wood, or any similar insu- 3@ lating material, having upon its back raised portions a', so that when it is secured to a wall or ceiling an air-space is left between the base and support to prevent the collection and absorption of moisture. To opposite edges of the front of the base are secured the pole-pieces or conducting-contacts b, to which the leads or main-circuit wires of the system are attached. The outer ends of these polepieces, which are forked for the reception of 4o the leads, are provided with binding-screws for clamping the leads to the pole-pieces to insure a good contact, while the inner ends are inclined or turned upward at any desirable angle--that is, not a right a11gle-with the plane of the base. It is preferred that these pole-pieces be formed in two pieces, one of which b has its outcrend bent to form one portion of the fork, while the other b2 is bent at the outer end to form the complementary portion of the fork which bears the binding- 5o screw b3, and bent at its inner end to form the upward-inclined contact b4. These two parts are usually held together to the base by a single screw7 and, if desired, one part may be slightly curved, so that when thc screw b3 is 55 forced against the lead t-he inner end b" rocks inward.

The cap c, which is usually made of a similar material as the base, is provided with conducting pieces or contacts d, secured to the 6c. inside of the cap by any common means. The ends of these contacts are preferably bent on the are of a circle concentric with the center of the cap, and these circular ends d are turned outward atan angle from the cap simi- 6 5 lar to that which the ends b1 of the pole-pieces form with the base. These contacts are so attached to the cap that when the cap is placed over the base and given a slight turn the inclined ends d of the contacts upon the 7o cap pass beneath the inclined ends (Zt of the pole-pieces on the base, so as to dovetail together and hold tightly, making a close contact between the conducting parts and holding the cap securely and tightly to the base.

Held by su itable binding-screws safety-f uses c join the contact-pieces (Z with the contactpieces f, to which, by binding-screws, are secured the lamp-leads that pass from these piecesfthrough the opening c in the center 8o of the cap to the lamp. Small pieces or projections c2 are formed upon the inner edge of the rim of the cap to prevent the dovetailed contacts from passing beyond each other when the cap is turned upon the base.

The base is secured to a wall or ceiling by any suitable means and the leads of the main circuit attached to the polepieces. The lamp-leads are secured to the inside of the cap and suitable fuses inserted to complete the 9o circuit. The cap is then pla-ced over the base and a slight turn engages the inclined projecting contact-pieces projecting from the base and cap and so dovetails them together that the cap is held tightly to the base and a close contact is insured between the conducting parts. To replacesJ fuse, :t slight turn of I attachment of the lamp-leads, substantially the cap disengages the dovetailed part and l, as described, and for the purpose specified.

the cap is free to be removed. 3. A cut-out consisting of t base bearing The cut-out is simple, cheap, durable, und pole-pieces having forked outer ends bearing 2 5 5 efficient. t bindingscrews and inclined inner ends, and

I claim as my invention* zt cap bearing' conductors with inclined inner 1. A cut-out consisting of at baise bearing ends formed upon the arcl of a circle, subpole-pieces the inner ends of which project at stantiztlly as described, and for the purpose a-n angle with the plane of the base, and a cap specified. 3o

1o bearing conductors the ends of which project 4. A cut-out consisting,` of :t base bearing' at zt similar angle with the ends of the polepole-pieces formed in two parts, the outer pieces upon the buse, substantially as deends of which form a fork and bear bindingscribed, and for the purpose specified.v screws, while the inner ends of one of which 2. A cut-out consisting of a base bearing is inclined outward from the base, and :t cap 3 5 15 pole-pieces the inner ends of which project at bearing; conductors that incline at an angle an angle with the plane of the base, and a cap from the plane of the cap, substantiallyzts debearing conductors the ends of which proscribed, and for the purpose specified.. A

ject at zt similar angle with the ends of the JACOB S. GIBBS. pole-pieces upon the base, with safety-fuses Witnesses: 2o between the angulztrly-projecting contacts FREDERICK XV. DAVIS,

upon the cap and the binding-screws for the HARRY R. WILLIAMS. 

